Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 11/23/11

It’s a long weekend, which is perfect cause there’s a lot of comics out this week to read! What was worth it? Find out below!

All Star Western #3 – While I generally like the Hex story, the ending is a bit abrupt and the story doesn’t seem resolved at all. Maybe it’s because it’s not and we can expect more from the villains, but something was a bit off. The back-up story too was just ok, in a retro sort of way. Overall, not quite as solid an ending as the beginning.

Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75

Alpha Flight #6 – The limited series that turned into a regular ongoing and then back to a limited series is almost wrapped up with two issues to go. It’s an interesting read, but for some reason it feels like an “also ran” when compared to other comics. It’s a feeling I’ve had for Alpha Flight series of the past. It’s never quite had the edge like others or enough to get me really interested.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Annihilator: Earthfall #3 – The epic factor kicks up a bit, but overall the story is still puttering on. Something just seems off overall about this chapter of DnA’s Marvel cosmic opus. The art is inconsistent which doesn’t help matters at all. Overall, these characters have seen better days.

Story: 6.75 Art: 6.75 Overall: 6.75

Aquaman #3 – Three issues in and the series hasn’t dipped in the quality of story or art. I’ve never cared for Aquaman but Geoff Johns’ writing and Ivan Reis’ art has changed all of that for me. It’s such a high quality story that just pulls off so well what on paper should be a meh story and character. One of the best of the new DC universe.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.5

Astonishing X-Men #44 – Uh, what the hell is going on?

Story: 7 Art: 7 Overall: 7

Batman: The Dark Knight #3 – The art is fantastic, the story is a bit shaky. Why is The Flash involved at all? He just seems to be a needless cameo. Oh well, the comic is entertaining and stands out enough from the other “Bat” comics on the market.

Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.75

Captain America & Buck #624 – We get a bit of Bucky’s time as the Winter Soldier as he tells his story to someone. I wish I could go into detail about that, but it’s nice to see that part of his life fleshed out some. I’m a bit torn on his confessing to his sins the way he does. It seems a bit shallow and empty, but overall the story is good and the art strong.

Story: 8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Daken: Dark Wolverine #17 – Daken starts to put two and two together to figure out who Rolston is and then goes about seeking some help to stop him. The story is pretty decent with a lot of voice over from Daken that adds depth to the character. It’s not shocking the series is coming to an end, but it’s a shame more people didn’t see this character grow from a knock-off Wolverine.

Story: 7.5 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.5

DMZ #71 – As we come closer to the end, this issue reflects on all Matty Roth has done over the last six years and the “crimes” he’s guilty of. After so many issues, you begin to wonder too what is fact and what is fiction. But as Matty himself points out, he can’t have done the good he did without also doing all the horrors. It’s been an amazing run by Brian Wood and it’s sad there’s so little of it left.

Story: 9.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9.75

Fantastic Four #600 – Wow, a 600th issue just packed with awesome. Jonathan Hickman has been weaving an epic story here and while at times I might have been bored and didn’t see the big picture, over the last few issues of FF he’s been putting all the puzzle pieces together so we can see the big picture. We knew Johnny Storm wasn’t dead, but that’s a hell of a return. The various stories in this stuffed issue all tie together adding layer after layer like Hickman has been doing for a while now. Bravo.

Story: 10 Art: 8.75 Overall: 9.5

The Flash #3 – The Flash is another series and character that’s stood out in the new DC universe. I was a fan of the previous volume and this one has been a lot of fun so far as well. The character is expanding a bit in what he can do, so it’s nice to see his abilities expanding and thus what we can expect from him. What I’m really looking forward to is the eventual return of the Rogues. It’s coming…

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Green Lantern: New Guardians #3 – The big picture starts to reveal itself as we get a better idea as to why all of the rings are attracted to Kyle. There’s some awesome art here and the Guardians aren’t putting up with any crap anymore, which after the years of insubordination makes sense. An interesting read that’ll hopefully play out in the other series.

Story: 7.25 Art: 8 Overall: 7.25

I, Vampire #3 – So the first negative thing can be said about the series, whoever chose the blue and orange to show off the locations in the beginning needs to be slapped upside the head. But, other than that, the series continues to impress. The story seems a bit Blade, but there’s a mood and look to it that makes it stand out. It’ll be interesting to see where it all goes and especially how the greater DC universe is tied into it. Looks like we’ll be finding that out pretty soon.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

The Invincible Iron Man #510 – Fear Itself has wrapped and Stark has to deal with his drinking again. At the same time his enemies are planning something big and it’s a whose who of bad guys involved. There’s a big plan here and it looks like the series has righted it’s direction in one issue and then some.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Iron Man 2.0 #10 – How do you take on a bad guy that’s nanotechnology and spreads like a virus? This series run seems to be exploring that till the end. It’s been interesting, but not enough to stand out, not a shocker it wound up on the chopping block. Good, but not great.

Story: 7 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7

Justice League Dark #3 – While I think the series will play a lot into what’s happening in Swamp Thing and Animal Man, I just can’t get through it. It’s not clicking for me at all.

Story: 6.75 Art: 7.5 Overall: 6.75

Kick-Ass 2 #5 – Action gore porn. Jump. The. Shark.

Story: 6 Art: 7.75 Overall: 6

The Mighty Thor #8 – Well that was quick. Now we know who Tanarus is and what the deal is, for the most part. It’ll be interesting to see how they get Thor back in time for next year’s Avengers film. The first issue of the new status quo is interesting and a decent read.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Secret Avengers #19 – Warren Ellis’ final single issue of the series before the new creative team takes over next issue. This one was a blip up compared to the last few issues. Something about it was really interesting and entertaining. A decent issue that’s a pretty good read for folks who are looking for a self-contained story.

Story:8 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8

Teen Titans #3 – And we get to meet a new member, Bunker. The story is great with a few different parts all going at their own pace and speed. There’s a great kinetic, fun feel about it all. I’m really enjoying the series so far and looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Ultimate Comics Hawkeye #4 – Hawkeye has a mission and we learn the history of what’s going on in Asia. It’s all interesting and I’m finally sucked into the Ultimate universe. The limited series wasn’t totally needed but it did it’s purpose in fleshing out the current storyline.

Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75

Voodoo #3 – Ron Marz continues to show there’s more depth to the series than the stripping from the first issue. Many dropped it at that point or wouldn’t even pick it up, and that’s a shame because he’s mashed together a spy/super hero mash-up that’s a slow, but fun burn. Too bad he’s not going past this first arc. DC has made a bad decision when it comes to that because he’s bringing us a character and series that has a lot of different skins much like it’s main character.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25

Wolverine & the X-Men #2 – The attack on the school continues in an over the top wave after wave, crazy on top of crazy, mish-mash of everything. All hell has broken loose really and the second issue is a bit over the top, but there’s something still very fun about it all. Hopefully the entire series won’t be one big issue of ADD, but so far it’s a welcome change.

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